Virginia DOT Awards $237.75M Contract for I-81 Widening Near Roanoke
According to Equipment World, Virginia’s Commonwealth Transportation Board has awarded a $237.75 million contract to Triton Construction Inc. to widen 3.2 miles of Interstate 81 near Roanoke County and Salem, with work set to begin Spring 2027. The award is one of three contracts that will collectively widen nine miles of I-81 near Ironto from two to three lanes, with a combined price tag of $917 million. The broader Virginia I-81 Corridor Improvement Program spans nearly $4 billion across 65 projects, with 41 complete and 16 currently underway.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- The two remaining I-81 segments, covering mile markers 128 to 133.8, have not yet been awarded, with construction starts expected in late 2027 and 2028, giving civil and highway subs a near-term bidding window.
- Work scope includes bridge replacements, ramp improvements, and concrete barrier and sound wall installation, pointing to opportunities across multiple trades beyond earthwork and paving.
- With 24 projects still to be awarded or completed under this program through 2035, contractors tracking IIJA-funded corridor work should treat I-81 as a long-duration pipeline, not a one-time opportunity.
